Shows
Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsRedefining Wine Culture with Tyler Balliet of Rebel School of Wine (Part 1)Ep 102How does someone from a beer-loving Wisconsin family end up creating a massive Rosé-themed wine playground in New York City? As well as writing a wine-themed book that is challenging the wine status quo?Today’s guest, author Tyler Balliet, is sharing her journey on how she’s helping to reshape the wine industry with events like Rosé Mansion and Wine Riot, as well as her inspiration behind her book, Rebel School of Wine. We also dig into the heart of what’s wrong with how wine is traditio...
2025-04-3039 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Guide to Tuscany's Famous Sangiovese WinesEp 98Do the countless names and styles of Sangiovese in Tuscany leave you feeling more confused than confident?Today, we are unraveling the complexities of the famed Sangiovese grape. Due to this grape’s many different names and regional variations, it can often be confusing. We are going to dig into the DOCG classification system in Italy. Tuscany alone has 11 DOCGs, with 7 requiring that red wines are predominantly Sangiovese. We will also explore Chianti and its resurgence of quality through innovative wine-making techniques. Then we will head sou...
2025-04-0236 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsUnique Sardinian Wines & Behind the Scenes in Winemaking w/ Sip with Nik (Part 2)Ep 97From starting her own winery to exploring unique grape varietals rarely known outside of Sardinia, Nikki Dickerson, also known on Instagram as Sip with Nik, is back on the podcast today!Today, Nikki is sharing her passion for unique wine varietals and how her love for Sardinian wine was born when she discovered rare wines like Semidano and Nuragus. Nikki shares her drive to introduce these hidden gems to a larger audience and how her Substack serves as the conduit to this. We also discuss her ambition to import...
2025-03-2630 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Sardinian Wine with Nikki Dickerson (Part 1)Ep 96When you think of islands in Italy, you probably think of Sicily, but what about the lesser known island of Sardinia?Today, Nikki and I are diving into the geography of Sardinia which lends itself to a diverse tapestry of wine styles. We’ll introduce you to a variety of grape varietals, including Cannonau, Vermentino, Malvasia and Cagnulari.From being home to one of the world’s Blue Zones, to challenges like navigating Italy’s complex regulations and unpredictable weather that killed 1/3 of her vines, you’ll learn what sets the isla...
2025-03-1945 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Guide to Piedmont Wines: From Nebbiolo to Moscato d’AstiEp 95Are you ready to uncover why the Piedmont region of Italy, often overshadowed by the famed Tuscan hills, is a hidden gem in the wine world? Would it surprise you to learn that there are many similarities between the famed Burgundy region and the Piedmont region?Today, I’m diving into the intricate geography of Piedmont and rich history that makes it such a unique wine region. I share the red wines you have probably heard of such as Barbera, Dolcetto, and...
2025-03-1235 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsItalian Wine 101: Key Regions and Grape VarietalsEp 94Ever felt lost in a sea of Italian wines with their complex names and regions? With their 384,000 wineries, 1.8 million acres of vineyards, and over 590 catalogued grape varieties, it’s no wonder if you do!Over the next several episodes we are going to do a deep dive into Italian wine! And in today’s podcast, we are doing an overview of how to read the labels on Italian wine bottles, the Italian wine classification system, and the 5 key wine regions in Italy. We will dive into the climate, geog...
2025-03-0535 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring the Harmony Between Wine & Music w/ David Britz (Part 2)Ep 93What do wine and music have in common? More than you think!Today, I have David Britz back on the podcast and he is sharing the synergies between wine and music! We talk about how both worlds are deeply intertwined in capturing unique, unrepeatable moments of magic. Whether it’s the perfect note in a live show or the optimal harvest of grapes for a vintage, both processes harness time to create something irreplicable. And don’t miss when David shares his aspirations for expanding the DD Proj...
2025-02-2635 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTurning Grief into Good: The Inspirational Story of the DD Project w/ David Britz (Part 1)Ep 92Today’s story is one of taking immense grief and love, and transforming it into a heartwarming initiative that honors a memory while celebrating female entrepreneurs by funding their dreams through wine sales.My guest David tragically lost his mother in 2019. He was driven by a desire to honor her memory and her entrepreneurial achievements through the founding of the DD Project. In this episode, we dive deep into the origin of the DD Project, David’s decision-making process for selecting and producing wines, and some of David’s favorite wines...
2025-02-1940 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsCroatia Wine 101: A Guide to Croatian Wine Regions & GrapesEp 91Ever wondered what it's like to sip wine from the real-life King’s Landing from Game of Thrones? Today, I’m diving into the world of Croatian wine. I had never really thought about Croatian wine until last year when Jennifer Kerum attended my Walla Walla retreat. Jennifer is from Croatia and runs a wine tourism business there. She came on the podcast to talk about all things Croatian wine and it was so fascinating that I knew I needed to dig deeper into this region. I recently highl...
2025-02-1237 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsIs Vermouth a Wine or a Liquor?Ep 90When you think of Vermouth do you think of it as just a mixer for your martini? Vermouth is actually a wine! Wine must make up at least 75% of the total volume of a Vermouth, so it is very much a wine!From its ancient medicinal roots in 1050 BC China to its evolution in Italy as an aperitif, I’m diving into what Vermouth really is and why it’s so significant in the wine world. I’m digging into how...
2025-02-0533 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsNavigating Wine, Personal Growth, & Online Bullying with Natalie MacLean (Part 2)Ep 89Have you ever wondered what it’s like to dive deep into the world of wine while facing the challenges of online bullying?In today’s episode I have Natalie MacLean back on the podcast and she’s diving into the world of wine through an experiential and personal lens.Natalie shares her unique approach to wine journalism, the emotional and cultural impact of wine, and challenges within the hospitality industry - from high rates of substance abuse to etiquette norms that stigma...
2025-01-2937 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWine, Storytelling, & Life Lessons with Natalie MacLean (Part 1)Ep 88How does one go from working at Supercomputer company SGI to becoming a renowned wine critic author?Today, we are joined by Natalie MacLean, author of Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass; Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines; and Wine Witch on Fire.Natalie shares her transformation from tech to full-time writer, and dives into how storytelling can transform complex topics like wine into engaging and memorable experiences. The conversation tu...
2025-01-2239 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Go-To Wine Books for Beginners & EnthusiastsEp 87When it comes to wine books, which ones are essential for every wine lover’s collection? Well, if you know anything about me, you know I’m a sucker for a good wine book. A wine book is how I actually ended up getting into wine in the first place!Before I was really enthralled by the world of wine, my husband and I took a trip down to Willamette Valley. The tour guide gave us an amazing tour of Archery Summit and r...
2025-01-1527 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTxakoli: Exploring Spain’s Basque Country Signature WineEp 86With its rise in popularity, I had a listener, Sheila, reach out to me wanting to learn more about Txakoli!I didn’t know a lot about Txakoli until I started researching this episode and what surprised me most was that Txakoli is not a grape! It’s actually a style of wine, usually referring to dry white wine from the Basque Country of Spain. It’s known for being slightly sparkling, fruity, and refreshing.In today’s episode, we will dive into the...
2025-01-0828 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Portuguese & Mexican Wines w/ NOSSA Imports (Part 2)Ep 85Are you ready to go beyond wine from Spain, France, and the United States? Dale Ott, sommelier turned importer of Mexican and Portuguese wines, is back on the podcast and she is giving us a deep dive into Mexican and Portuguese wines.Dale is diving into the often overlooked but incredibly fascinating worlds of Mexican and Portuguese wines. She shares how Portuguese wines are reviving ancient winemaking traditions and how regions like Northern Baja and Valle de Parras are overcoming infrastructural challenges t...
2025-01-0135 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsHow Importers are Changing What You Drink & Why It Matters w/ Dale Ott (Part 1)Ep 84Ever wondered what it takes to bring unique Mexican and Portuguese wines to your local shelves?Today’s guest, Dale Ott, is giving us a behind the scenes look at what it takes to import wine into the US. We talk about why she chose to import wines from Mexico and Portugal, as well as her meticulous selection process for importing wines - hint it’s all about building strong, trust-based relationships with producers. She places an emphasis on low-intervention wines that genuinely represent their regi...
2024-12-2533 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWhat Wine to Pour this Holiday Season (without overspending)Ep 83Are you scrambling to find the perfect wine for your holiday gatherings? I’ve got you covered with sparkling, white, red and dessert wines that will be perfect for your Christmas dinner.In today’s episode I’m sharing with you a cost-effective yet sophisticated alternative to Champagne as well as food-friendly white wines that will add a rich note to your holiday dinner, because we don’t just have to drink red wine for the holidays!But if you do p...
2024-12-1829 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsHailey’s Must Have 2024 Holiday Wine Gift GuideEp 82This is one of my favorite episodes of the year! We are diving into my 2024 holiday wine gift guide!Maybe you’re like my family and you start your holiday shopping in October, or maybe you are like Mr. Cork & Fizz’s family and you start your shopping in December. Either way, I think you will find some amazing gift ideas here as well as some fun stocking stuffer ideas!This gift guide is specially curated for wine enthusiasts and wine beginners. It i...
2024-12-1133 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsDemystifying Burgundy Wine w/ Kim of Journeys in Wine (Part 2)Ep 81Are you curious about the world of Burgundy wines? What makes them so unique and sought after?Burgundy is a wine lover’s paradise, but diving into its complexities can feel like navigating a maze!Today, I have Kim Gagne of Journeys in Wine back on the podcast and she is diving into the nuances of Burgundy wine. Kim explores the importance of terroir - the distinct environmental factors such as soil, orientation, and climate - that give each parcel its unique ch...
2024-12-0436 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsBurgundy Wine Adventures w/ Kim of Journeys in Wine (Part 1)Ep 80Ever dreamed of sipping world-renowned Burgundy wine in the very vineyards they come from?I did just that on my recent trip to Burgundy! It was made possible by an amazing wine tour from Kim Gagne of Journeys in Wine. The tour was a highlight of my trip so I knew I had to invite Kim on the podcast!Kim’s career in the wine world originated in California in the late 80s, which enticed her to spend an immersion year in Burgundy, now he...
2024-11-2736 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Trip to France: Jura Wine 101Ep 79Ever tasted a wine so unique that you either absolutely love it or completely hate it?I was first introduced to Jura wine at a French wine shop here in Seattle. I saw a bottle of Savagnin and asked the wine clerk how is this different from Sauvignon Blanc? The owner said I had to try it and people either love it or hate it! I ended up loving the unique wines of Jura and I knew that Jura would be a s...
2024-11-2029 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Trip to France: Beaujolais & Burgundy 101Ep 78When I was planning my trip to France with Mr. Cork & Fizz, it was an absolute given that we would visit Burgundy! And much to my surprise, I saw that we would have to drive right through Beaujolais to get to Burgundy. You know we had to stop in Beaujolais for a wine tasting and I’m so glad we did! So, for today’s episode we are going to talk about Burgundy and Beaujolais, and what makes each area so special.Beauj...
2024-11-1342 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsBurgundy Wine Demystified: What Makes it Worth the Hype w/ Maison Shaps Winery (Part 2)Ep 77The world of Burgundy grapes and wine can be incredibly confusing, which is why I have the father-daughter duo, Hanna and Michael Shaps, back on the podcast. Today, they share what you really need to know about Burgundy. So, what should we know about Burgundy?How about the Aligoté grape? Once the underdog of Burgundy, it has now risen to 6% of Burgundy’s wine production. Once considered a lesser varietal, Aligoté is making a rema...
2024-11-0629 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsFrom Virginia Wine to Burgundy Wine w/ Hanna & Michael Shaps (Part 1)Ep 76What is it like to master winemaking in both the historic vineyards of Burgundy and the dynamic terroir of Virginia?That’s exactly what today's guest, Michael Shaps, has done. Shaps and his daughter, Hanna, are navigating French wine traditions and pioneering diverse varietals in Virginia. Maison Shaps is a french-american winery that currently owns four hectares in the Côte de Beaune. Founded by Michael Shaps after his studies at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune, Maison Shaps focuses on making low-i...
2024-10-3031 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsThe Light, Crisp French White Wine You’re Missing out onEp 75Ever wondered how the Melon grape from Burgundy transformed into the acclaimed Muscadet wines of Nantes?While in France, we visited Nantes! Located in the westernmost part of the Loire Valley, it is also home to the Muscadet region. Muscadet has some of the most intriguing, affordable and delectable grapes, primarily crafted from the Melon grape. I’m diving into the grape, Melon, which is known for producing high-acidity wines. We’ll discuss how this grape unexpectedly found its perfect home in Na...
2024-10-2336 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Trip to France: An Overview with Travel & Planning TipsEp 74I have wanted to visit France since I first fell in love with a white Burgundy.Mr. Cork & Fizz and I planned this bucket list trip in 2020. Of course that didn’t happen and since I don’t love to fly, it kept getting pushed down the list of places to visit. My final push to get this bucket list item back on my calendar came when my Mom and Dad gifted me a basket of wonderful French goodies because they knew how m...
2024-10-1631 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Underrated French Wine Regions & Pronunciations w/ Katie Melchior (Part 2)Ep 73Are you curious about lesser known French wine regions and mastering tricky pronunciation?Today, I have Katie Melchior back on the podcast with me and she is helping us master French wine region pronunciation. Katie shares how to pronounce regions such as Champagne, Bourgogne and the tricky Languedoc-Roussillon. And how to understand letter combinations to get that French sound.She shares her top 3 regions that she feels deserves more attention, which one she considers the underdog of French wine, and where you...
2024-10-0943 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Unique Path into French Wine Education w/ French Wine Tutor Katie Melchior (Part 1)Ep 72Who knew a road trip with influencers through the Loire Valley could ignite a passion for making French wine accessible?On this trip through the Loire Valley, Katie noted the poorly translated materials that were being used to educate the influencers. This would ultimately lead to Katie launching the French Wine Tutor!Katie Melchior, the founder of French Wine Tutor, is an American who has studied French since she was 11 years old and lived in France several times. After pursuing use of...
2024-10-0232 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Guide to Lebanese WineEp 71You’ve probably heard of old world and new world wines but have you heard about the ancient world?Lebanon is one of the lesser known winemaking regions, however, historians date Lebanese wine making back to 2700 BC with the Phoenicians!Today, we are going to explore the unique geographical and climatic nuances that make Lebanese wine so special, from its Mediterranean climate to the chalky limestone soils of the Bekkah valley. You will also learn about France’s influence on Lebanese wine and...
2024-09-2521 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsUnderstanding the Differences: Organic, Biodynamic, Natural & Clean Wines ExplainedEp 70 There are a lot of buzzwords in the wine world and honestly, some of them are more marketing than anything else. However, there are a few that I think are important to talk about.Today, we are diving into the differences between organic, biodynamic, natural and clean wines? What does it mean when you see that a wine has been made sustainably?I’m breaking down the varying standards and certifications, exploring the unique practices in biodynamic winemaking, such as burying cow hor...
2024-09-1829 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Spanish Sparkling Wine with Pepe Raventos: Breaking Away from Cava (Part 2)Ep 69 When you think of Spanish sparkling wine do you think of Cava?Today's guest, Pepe Raventos, is all too familiar with the Cava DO and its regulations because his grandfather was the promoter and creator of the Cava DO.However, Pepe is sharing the rationale behind his family’s bold move to depart from the traditional Cava DO where the standards are too broad and winemaking has shifted to mass production. Pepe and his family are...
2024-09-1124 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Family Legacy with Spanish Winemaker Pepe Raventos (Part 1)Ep 68 I often ask my guests what made them decide to get into wine. However, today’s guest’s family has been in the wine business for five centuries, so I’m going to take a guess and say that has something to do with it. Today, Spanish winemaker, Pepe of Raventós i Blanc, is sharing how his winery has transitioned to producing 100% biodynamic wines, the challenges that he has faced in maintaining his family's traditions. He also shares his story from social work back to the family bu...
2024-09-0423 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTips for Storing Wine at HomeEp 67 I’ve always cringed when watching those shows like house hunters when they show homes with kitchen wine storage right above the oven. Spoiler: that's one of the worst places to store wine!So, where should you store your wine at home?Today, we are diving into the best way to store wine at home. I'll guide you through creating the perfect home environment for your wine bottles, emphasizing a cool, dark, and stable setting. You don't need fancy furniture or exp...
2024-08-2825 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsUkrainian Wine: Bold Flavors from an Unexpected RegionEp 66Have you tried a Ukrainian wine? Yes Ukraine, as in the country of Ukraine, makes wine!While Ukrainian wine isn’t in the mainstream wine world yet, they have been making wine for a very long time.In today’s episode we will dive into the history of Ukrainian wine that dates back to the 8th Century BC. Despite numerous political and historical challenges and the devastating effects of the ongoing war, Ukrainian winemaking has seen an in...
2024-08-2126 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsSynthetic Wine and Thrilling Stories with Jupiter’s Blood Author Steven LaineEp 65 What if science could perfectly replicate a bottle of Grand Cru Burgundy, so that our grandkids' grandkids could discover exactly what a 2020 vintage tasted like?This was the idea that initially sparked today’s guest, author Stephen Laine's, latest novel, Jupiter's Blood. Steven Laine, Wine Scholar and author of 'Root Cause,' ‘Dragonvine,’ and 'Jupiter's Blood' is an award-winning restaurateur and hotelier. He's worked two harvests at Canadian wineries as a winemaker-cellarman at Mission Hill Family Estate in 2020 and Trius Winery in 2021...
2024-08-1439 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTips for Serving Wine: From the Temperature, to the Glass, to DecantingEp 64 Summertime means lots of get-togethers with friends and family and the perfect time to serve some great bottles of wine!But, how do you properly serve wine? What temperature should wine be served at? Do I have to have special glasses to serve it in? How do I know if I should decant the wine first?As a wine expert I’ve learned a lot about serving wine and while it’s second nature to me, I know that it’s not for...
2024-08-0738 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWine Aromas 101Ep 63 There's something undeniably alluring about the aroma of a fine wine, isn't there? It's an experience that can transport us to various places and evoke a myriad of emotions.Before I really understood wine, I had a glass of Chardonnay and I was convinced that there was pineapple and coconut in it. And when I asked the winemaker if they had added those flavors to the wine she said “no, that’s just the way wine works.”Ever since then, I...
2024-07-3135 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTips for Navigating Small Wine Shops with Desirae Ballard (Part 2)Ep 62 When you walk into a wine shop do you immediately feel intimidated about the selection of wines?Is wine more expensive at a small wine shop? What if you can’t find something in your budget?According to today’s guest, Desirae Ballard, if the small wine shop is doing their job right then you will absolutely find something within your budget!And the best part is that with a smal...
2024-07-2424 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsBuilding Community Through Wine at The Grape Choice (Part 1)Ep 61 From bartender and manager to wine shop owner, Desirae Ballard is on a mission to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all wine lovers at The Grape Choice in Kirkland, WA.Desirae is the owner of The Grape Choice Wine Store and Wine Bar in Kirkland, Washington. Since purchasing The Grape Choice in 2023, Desirae has taken this 40 year old wine store and made it her own! She expanded the food menu to include incredible charcuterie boards that complement the wine selection as well as increased seating and c...
2024-07-1737 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsThe Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Wine Tasting Party at HomeEp 60 So, you want to host a wine tasting party at home but you have a lot of questions? And the biggest question is where do you even begin!? Plus:How many people should you invite?What kind of wine should you have and what order should you sample it in?I’m answering all of these questions and more on today’s episode! We’ll dive into how to choose a theme, how to set the sce...
2024-07-1026 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsSanta Barbara Wine Travel Guide!Ep 59 Why do I love Santa Barbara wine country so much?Aside from Walla Walla, which you know I love so much, Santa Barbara is my second favorite wine region in the US.It’s not pretentious at all. It’s just a bunch of wine lovers making wine that they love that they then want to share with other people who love wine. Santa Barbara has lots of smaller amazing wineries, top notch restaurants and it’s n...
2024-07-0336 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsCroatian Wine: Exploring Indigenous Grapes and Unique Flavors w/ Jennifer KerumEp 58When we think of wine, countries like France, Italy, and Spain often come to mind as the leading producers of the world's finest vintages. However, tucked away in the heart of Europe lies a hidden gem waiting to be explored - Croatia.We are talking about ancient vineyards, indigenous grapes, unique flavor profiles, the history of winemaking in Croatia and so much more.And leading us through this amazing region is Jennifer Kerum. Jennifer is the go-to wine expert for Croatian...
2024-06-261h 01Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTypes of Wine Grapes: MerlotEp 57I’m back with another wine grape deep dive and this time it’s Merlot! If I’m being honest, I tend to skip right over Merlot when I see it on the menu. However, after a lot of research, I think I’ve changed my own mind about this grape!Join me as we dive into the rise and fall of the Merlot grape! We’ll get into how Merlot went from being a supe...
2024-06-1934 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Go-To Chillable Red Wines for SummerEp 56 The clouds have started to break. The sun stays out longer. And the weather is getting warmer, which means that summer is finally here!And with summer here, I feel like a lot of people lean towards Rosé and White wines but there is another style of wine that you are not going to want to miss out on…and that is chillable red wines!Chillable red wines typically have higher acidity, are lighter bodied, low in tannins, plus they taste great...
2024-06-1227 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsEsja Wines: A Micro Winery Crafting Wines From Their GarageEp 55 When you think of a winemaker you typically think of wines being produced in a winery, right?Well Esja wines are doing things a bit differently and crafting Washington wines that are funky, fresh, and fun and doing so out of their garage!Today, I’m joined by Tanya Bjornsson, an Icelandic-American winemaker who is the owner of Esja wines, a small batch winery making wines with a light touch that result in lean, elegant, and acid driven wines. ...
2024-06-0554 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsCelebrating One Year! Your Fav Episodes, My Fav Episodes, the Future of this Podcast and more!Ep 54 It’s time to raise our wine glasses and celebrate!! The Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine Podcast is one year old!!!!This episode means so much to me and I’m reflecting on my favorite moments, challenges I’ve encountered along the way, your top 5 favorite episodes to listen to, and my top 5 favorite episodes to record.I’m giving a behind the scenes peek into what the future holds for The Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine, and don’t worry, I’...
2024-05-2948 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsGreek Wine: A Hidden Gem - A Wine Region MiniseriesEp 53Even as a wine enthusiast myself, I sometimes find myself drinking the same wines all the time. Lately it’s been a lot of California and Washington wine and while they are absolutely delicious, when Mr. Cork & Fizz suggested going wine shopping for something new, I didn't hesitate to say yes!So, it was that conversation that inspired me to dig deep into Greek wine and to share this inspiration with you, so that if you were looking for something new to...
2024-05-2239 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Australia's Unique Wine Varieties with Kim Chalmers of Chalmers WineEp 52The Chalmers family’s wine business is nothing short of extraordinary.They place an emphasis on sustainable practices and family-owned values as well as being advocates for broadening perspectives on Australian wine.Australian wine is more than Shiraz or Sémillon. Chalmers is leading the way with their unique flavor profiles.However, those unique flavor profiles come with their challenges when it comes to growing and introducing new grape varieties and how Aus...
2024-05-1554 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTop 10 Most Common Wine Questions I’m Asked During a Wine TastingEp 51As a wine educator I hold a lot of private tastings, virtually and in person, and I’ve noticed the same questions tend to pop up over and over. So, I thought it would be fun to answer the most common wine questions I’m asked because you may have some of these very same questions!Some of the questions I’m asking in this episode include: the connection between smell, taste, and memory in wine perception; how I s...
2024-05-0835 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy Favorite Picnic Wines for SpringEp 50As the sun starts to shine brighter and the weather warms up, there's no better way to embrace the beauty of spring than by enjoying a delightful picnic with friends and family. And what better way to elevate your outdoor gathering than by pairing it with the perfect wines?I may not be super outdoorsy but I can definitely appreciate a great picnic and today, I’m sharing 5 of my favorite wines to take on your next pic...
2024-05-0136 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsBehind the Scenes of the Punk Rock Side of Wine with Paul Greico, Owner of Terroir TribecaEp 49What would you do if you were asked to leave your college and your punishment was to work in your parent’s restaurant and go to Italy for 28 days to visit wineries. Would you go? You better believe that is what today’s guest Paul Greico did and it set a chain of events into motion that would ultimately culminate in Paul becoming the founder and owner of the punk inspired wine bar, Terroir Tribeca in New York. ...
2024-04-2457 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWhat Factors Influence the Cost of Wine?Ep 48Does price matter when it comes to a bottle of wine? Is a $10 bottle really that different from a $50 bottle of wine? What about a $50 bottle versus a $500 bottle? And what goes into the cost of wine anyway?I’m breaking it all down in today’s episode! From costs involved in grape production and harvesting…to the markups added by distributors, wine shops and restaurants. I’m sharing the many pieces involved that make up that final price of your favorite...
2024-04-1725 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts4 Up and Coming Wine Regions You Don’t Want to MissEp 47I’m so excited for today’s episode on 4 up and coming wine regions!And what I love most about this topic is that a listener proposed this idea! I love chatting about anything you’re interested in hearing about!Now, these regions may not necessarily be new in making wine (in fact some are quite old) but they ARE rising in popularity.Join me as we explore four regions that each have a unique story and distinctive terroi...
2024-04-1040 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsLearn About Burgundy Wine with Wine Expert, Alex LopezEp 46Located in the heart of France is the renowned region of Burgundy. Burgundy is famed for its vineyards and diverse terroir. From Cote d’Or which is dominated by the Pinot Noir grape to the Cote de Beaune characterized by an abundance of Chardonnay, each sub region holds its own allure and unique varietals. And with such a large region it’s easy to get confused by all the Burgundy has to offer! (Even if it’s mostly only two grap...
2024-04-0352 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTypes of Wine Grapes: BarberaEp 45I’m back with another grape deep dive and this time it’s Barbera! I first fell in love with this grape at my local wine shop and now it’s my go-to for pizza night since they pair so well together!I just love how approachable and fruity this grape is and the fact that you can get an amazing bottle of wine for only $15!Today, I’ll share with you the mysterious origins and scandalou...
2024-03-2722 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsAll About Sparkling Wine (Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and more!)Ep 44Did you know that one of my very favorite styles of wine is sparkling wine?!It’s absolutely delicious and I find the history behind sparkling wine so intriguing….especially since it started as an accident, or more accurately, a HAPPY accident!Today’s episode is essentially my Sparkling Wine 101 Tasting that you would get if you booked a private tasting with me but you are getting exclusive access to this on the podcast!I’m sharing...
2024-03-2040 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsElevating Everyday Wine with Hand-Blown Glasvin Wine Glasses with Founder David KongEp 43Does a beautiful hand-blown wine glass make a difference when it comes to drinking wine?Are different glasses good for different kinds of wine? Or is it just all a marketing strategy?Today, I have David Kong, founder of Glasvin Stemware, with me. David is changing the game for wine and cocktail lovers everywhere! And he is giving us all the details on those questions. David dives into how a wine gl...
2024-03-1346 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts4 Underrated Wine VarietiesEp 42Do you find yourself drinking the same wine all the time? Even as a wine enthusiast, I’m guilty of this myself! And while I know how easy it is to gravitate towards the same wines, I’m here to help you find some fun and interesting new wines to try!Today, I’m introducing you to 4 of my favorite wines that aren’t quite as well known…but they must go on your list of new wines to try!
2024-03-0622 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsSpanish Wine 101Ep 41I love French wine…but I also REALLY love Spanish wine so I knew it was time to do a Spanish Wine 101 episode!Spain has some of the most budget friendly, age worthy wines and if you aren’t drinking Spanish wine yet you will want to by the end of this episode!Today, we are diving into the captivating world of Spanish wine. From the rolling vineyards of Rias Baixas to the rugged terrain of Priorat, we are exploring the dist...
2024-02-2837 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWhat Sets Camins 2 Dreams Apart from other Wineries?Ep 40What happens when two friends who are passionate about traveling, chemistry, and wine fall in love with each other?They get married and open a winery together!Wife and wife team, Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribó, are the winemakers and founders of Camins 2 Dreams Winery in Santa Rita Hills, California. Camins 2 Dreams sources their grapes from vineyards in Santa Barbara County with a focus in Santa Rita Hills.Tara and Mireia feel that wine is made in the vineyard a...
2024-02-2150 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWhy You Must Visit Walla Walla on Your Next Wine TripEp 39Today, I’m sharing with you one of my favorite wine regions in the entire world, Walla Walla, Washington!To me this region is like a secret little getaway. Like many of you I spend so much of my time feeling stressed out and worrying about everything that needs to get done. And every time I visit Walla Walla I feel so relaxed and chill and it’s like my worries just disappear when I am there.I want to share this amazing region with...
2024-02-1444 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTypes of Wine Grapes: RieslingEp 38My grape deep dive is back and this time it’s all about the misunderstood Riesling grape!You may already be thinking: I don’t like Riesling! Either because you think it’s too sweet or it’s too acidic. But here’s where Riesling’s unique characteristics shine…this grape can do both! It can be sweet or acidic and it’s all dependent on where it’s grown and how the winemaker chooses to make the wine!Today, we are going to take a deep dive i...
2024-02-0729 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsHow One Colorado Winery is Navigating Challenges and Crafting Boutique WinesEp 37What’s it like owning a winery in Colorado and growing grapes at 6,000 feet above sea?For Jayme and Steve it’s been fraught with surprising challenges and extravagant wins!Today I’m talking with Colorado winemakers and founders of The Storm Cellar, Jayme Henderson and Steve Steese.The Storm Cellar is a boutique winery, located in Hotchkiss, Colorado, specializing in high-quality, aromatic White and Rosé wines. They are a husband-and-wife team with a shared goal of showcasing the attributes of their unique, alpine-desert terroir, bringing the West...
2024-01-311h 03Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts5 Simple Tips for Ordering Wine at a RestaurantEp 36Does the wine list at your favorite restaurant overwhelm you? Ordering wine at a restaurant can be an overwhelming experience, especially when faced with a lengthy wine list that’s multiple pages long and in a language that seems foreign! If you can relate then you are going to be so excited for today’s episode!I’m sharing my best tips on ordering wine at a restaurant because I know how scary it can b...
2024-01-2425 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsFrench Wine 101 Part Deux - The Lesser Known RegionsEp 35I promised you a part two to my French Wine 101 episode and it’s finally here!If you haven’t listened to part one yet, go back and listen to Episode 19 - French Wine 101. There we talked about the most popular and well known regions of France - Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley, and the Rhone Valley.Today, we are going to go off the beaten path to explore six of the lesser known, but just as wonderful (or poss...
2024-01-1736 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Australian Wine with Jane Lopes - Importer, Sommelier and Author of Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 BottlesEp 34Are you ready to uncork a wealth of knowledge and passion for Australian wine? In today's episode, Nashville-based sommelier, author and importer Jane Lopes takes us on a journey through the lesser known wines of Australia! Jane shares with us what sparked her interest in Australian wine and how that spark led to her and her husband importing Australian wine into the US and the formation of their import business, LegendJane also shares her passion for education in the wine industry and how that led to her authoring the bo...
2024-01-1057 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsNon-Alcoholic Wines (Let's Talk About Them)Ep 33Are you participating in Dry January?Or perhaps you simply enjoy non-alcoholic wines?Whatever the reason, you may be curious about some of the most common questions regarding non-alcoholic wines such as: Are they any good? Are they really alcohol free? Is non-alcoholic wine just grape juice?Today, we are diving into the complexities of dealcoholized wine and wine alternatives. How are they different? Are they truly 100% alcohol free? Is a wine alternative really wine?
2024-01-0335 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWine Faults 101 - How and Why Does Wine Go Bad?Ep 32Have you ever wondered why that bottle of wine you opened tastes off? A bottle of wine can go bad before you even open! We call the things that make it go bad wine faults.Wine faults are often caused by poor storage and handling however there are other cases where damage happens to the wine through no fault of our own!It’s good to know what these wine faults are and understand what to do...
2023-12-2724 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsExploring Virginia Wine w/ Sarah & Nate of Walsh Family WineEp 31Imagine your spouse calling and saying “I may have just signed a lease on a vineyard!"That’s exactly the phone call Sarah received from Nate, the passionate husband and wife duo behind Walsh Family Wine in Virginia!Sarah Walsh comes from a background of fine dining, fine wine sales and wine education. She manages the Northern Virginia sales team for Winebow, a wine importer and distributor and holds a diploma Wine and Spirits Education Trust, an accreditation held by only 9,000 people worldwide. In both...
2023-12-2055 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsIf You Like This…Try That! Alternatives to Your Favorite WinesEp 30Does this sound familiar?You discover you like a certain style of wine and from that point on you look for that wine at the store or when you go out to eat. And it’s always the same style of wine.But you can see that there are so many other options! You want to try something new but how do you know if you’ll like it? Maybe it’s just safer to stick with what you like because you know you like i...
2023-12-1333 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsCork Crew Q&A with Karen MacNeil, Author of The Wine BibleEp 29You loved the last exclusive look into my Cork Crew Virtual Tasting Club so I’m back with another sneak peek! And this time I’m joined by the infamous Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible!In today’s world we often take for granted the fact that we can walk into a winery and order a glass of wine or that we can join wine classes for tastings, and really learn about wine in so many different ways!But what was it...
2023-12-0634 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsAnswering Your Most Common Wine QuestionsEp 28Today’s episode is a fun one because I’m answering your most common wine questions! I recently posted a question sticker in my Instagram stories asking you to send me all of your wine related questions and boy did you deliver! It makes me really happy to answer your questions so I had so much fun with this! If you missed that question sticker on my Instagram stories I’ll be doing it again soon, so make sure you are following me here so you don’t miss it!So, what...
2023-11-2940 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWine Lover’s Holiday Gift Guide 2023Ep 27‘Tis the season for giving and what better gift to give than the joy of wine? If you are looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life then this episode is for you!This is my absolute favorite time of year and I have just released my 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Wine Lovers! So, before you go any further go ahead and download the guide here. It’s packed full of all of my favorite wine gifts as well...
2023-11-2245 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsEmbracing Diversity in the Wine World w/ Desiree Harrison-BrownEp 26You are in for a real treat today because I’m chatting with Desiree Harrison-Brown, a wine educator and influencer!After working part-time doing tastings at local grocery and liquor stores Desiree left her 9-to-5 corporate career in project management to pursue her love for wine education. It was during these tastings that customers would ask Desiree questions about wine to which she would reply “I literally do not know. You can taste it and if you like it th...
2023-11-1545 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts5 Wines Every Thanksgiving Dinner Table NeedsEp 25The air is crisp and Thanksgiving is on its way. You’ve planned your food menu for Thanksgiving but now the question is…what wine do you pair with it?When thinking of the perfect wine for Thanksgiving dinner, I think a lot of people reach towards big, powerful red wines.And while you can do that, you also want to think about the food that is on the table. If you have the traditional dinner of turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and...
2023-11-0833 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsCork Crew Wine Q&A w/ Texas Winemaker, Andrew SidesEp 24We are switching things up this week and doing things a little differently! Every month with the Cork Crew I host a virtual community event and in September I had the pleasure of bringing Texas winemaker, Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars, into the Cork Crew for a Q&A!Wait! Texas produces wine?!Yes you read that right! Texas does produce wine and I wanted to share this conversation with you and give you an e...
2023-11-0147 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts5 Wine Myths You Need to Stop BelievingEp 23If there is one thing I know to be true it’s that the wine world can be incredibly intimidating for beginners. And all the wine myths out there certainly don’t help!I remember it felt incredibly overwhelming to me when I first started learning about all things wine. Turns out, a lot of the things the media and marketing of big time wineries led me to believe about wine simply weren’t true.Which is why I’m going to debunk 5 of the top...
2023-10-2525 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsThe Truth About Natural Wine with Molly RingeEp 22What exactly is natural wine?Does natural wine mean no chemicals or additives whatsoever? Or does it mean they can be added in certain amounts? Are natural wines always “funky?” Are they the same as organic wines? And what are the rules surrounding natural wine and being able to say that this is indeed a natural wine?Today, I’m chatting with Seattle, Washington based natural wine shop owner Molly Ringe of Molly’s Bottle Shop. Molly started her career in the conventional wine world bu...
2023-10-1850 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTypes of Wine Grapes: Chenin BlancEp 21I’m back with the next installment of my Grape Deep Dive Miniseries and this time it’s all about Chenin Blanc. If I could only drink one style of wine for the rest of my life it would be…Chenin Blanc! Why? Because there’s really nothing that this grape can’t do! From really lovely high acid white wines which are perfect for pairing with seafood or full bodied really oaky-rich white wines which are perfect for sipping by the fire, this grape is quite versatile.
2023-10-1132 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsCreating a Luxury Wine Experience with NFL Star Sidney Rice & Entrepreneur Tim Lenihan of Dossier WinesEp 20 Dossier wines is a combination of passion and collaboration and is looking to do something a bit different than other wineries. They are building a luxurious wine experience while keeping it approachable for everyone.Co-founders Sidney Rice and Tim Lenihan are chatting all about how Dossier Wines came to be, the unique challenges that celebrity owned wineries face, how the name Dossier came to be and what is most important to them as winery owners. And I’ll give you a hint…it’s all about the customer experience when it comes to drin...
2023-10-0452 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsFrench Wine 101: Understanding the Label, Region & Grape VarietiesEp 19 When you walk into a wine shop do you walk towards the French wine section or away from it?A friend told me recently that they walk away from the French wine section which I think is crazy because I tend to head right towards it! For starters, it was the French region of Burgundy which made me fall in love with wine to begin with!I think that French wines are absolutely incredible! They are known as the benchmark of wine e...
2023-09-2741 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWhat is Orange Wine?Ep 18“What is Orange wine and is it actually made from oranges?”I think that is the first thing that comes to mind when we hear about Orange wine! It is in fact not made from oranges but from white (or green) grapes.It actually gets its name from the orange hue of the wine which is a result of leaving the juice of the white grapes in contact with the skins and the seeds of the grapes (a process usually reserved for red...
2023-09-2030 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsA Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Life of a Wine Influencer with Paige ComrieEp 17 How easy is it to be a social media influencer? It looks glamorous from the outside - free gifts, trips and such but is it really as easy as it looks? Today, I have digital storyteller, photographer, blogger and social media influencer Paige Comrie from Wine with Paige with me to chat about what life looks like behind the scenes of being a wine influencer.Paige Comrie is the digital storyteller behind the website and wine blog, Wine with Paige. Paige is a certified American Wine Expert, holds h...
2023-09-1346 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsThe Best Wine Gadgets, Gifts, & AccessoriesEp 16Have you thought about all the cool wine gadgets that are available and questioned if they are actually useful or if they are just another gimmick?Let me be the first to tell you that while some of those wine gadgets are amazing…some just make me roll my eyes or even make me frustrated at times. A great example: any product that claims it can prevent headaches after drinking wine. The only way to do this is to remove all the alcohol because as well all know it’s th...
2023-09-0638 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsProducing Wine in the Rocks District w/ Brooke of Delmas | SJR VineyardEp 15 From scorching summer heat to freezing winter temperatures, Delmas Wines faces many unique challenges when it comes to growing grapes and producing wine in the unique Rocks District of Walla Walla. This is why I’m so excited to chat with head winemaker and director of wine growing, Brooke Delmas Robertson of Delmas Wines! Brooke has an extensive background in the wine industry, has worked at iconic vineyards and wineries in Napa and Australia, is a viticulturist with a B.A. in philosophy and has her winemaking certificate. So all...
2023-08-301h 13Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTypes of Wine Grapes: Cabernet FrancEp 14I’m back with the next installment of my Grape Deep Dive Miniseries and this time it’s all about Cabernet Franc. This grape is incredibly versatile and known for its diverse flavors and intriguing history. You may not be super familiar with Cabernet Franc but you likely know one of its offspring: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Carménère. Cabernet Franc is that it is not without its challenges. We’ll start with the debate on where it originated. Then I’ll dive into the importance of vintage and...
2023-08-2323 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsThe Ultimate Guide to Wine Tours, Trips, & RetreatsEp 13It’s finally happening! You’ve booked that wine trip that you have always wanted to take, your plane tickets are booked, you found the cutest Airbnb and now you get to choose the wineries you would like to see! Amidst all the excitement you are now feeling a little overwhelmed with the planning stage. What wineries should you visit, how many wineries should you see in a day, and a million more questions are swirling around your head! Luckily for you I’ve p...
2023-08-1622 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWinemaking Dreams Come True w/ Anna CliffordEp 12When you were 13 did you know with absolute unwavering certainty what you wanted to do with your life? I know I certainly didn’t! After watching a Meg Ryan rom-com flick at just 13 years old, Anna Clifford, owner of the boutique winery Final Girl wines, knew without a doubt that she would one day be a winemaker!In this episode of the Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine Podcast, Anna walks us through her journey from majoring in winemaking in college to working in...
2023-08-0948 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWine & Food Pairing 101: My Simple 2-Step Signature ProcessEp 11Maybe you’re planning a fancy dinner party with a bunch of friends or maybe you’re just grilling some burgers. Either way you want to pair a bottle of wine with your food but how do you know what wine will pair well with your meal? This is one of my most asked questions when it comes to wine!I know that most of us want to enjoy a delicious glass of wine with our meal and I also know many of us have experienced a not so g...
2023-08-0231 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsEmbracing Hybrid Grapes & Creating Unique Wines w/ Wisconsin Winemaker Erin RasmussenEp 10When you think of wineries I bet you think of the wineries in California, Washington, and maybe even Oregon. Rarely do you ever think about a winery being in Wisconsin! When I think of Wisconsin I think cold, snowy, wet and well.. cheese! However, today’s guest, Erin Rasmussen–the founder of American Wine Project, is flipping the script and bringing Wisconsin produced wines to the forefront. Erin grew up in Wisconsin experiencing the intense pleasures of seasonal produce and handcrafted cheese and it was this interest in flavo...
2023-07-2648 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsChilean Wine: A Hidden Gem - Wine Region MiniseriesEp 9We're diving into one of my favorite regions in this Wine Region Mini Series and that is Chile!Why is Chile one of my favorite wine regions? If you missed last week's episode you can catch it here, but Chilean wines are at the very beginning of Cork & Fizz! During the pandemic I hosted a virtual wine tasting for friends showcasing Chilean wines and that ended up sparking my idea for Cork & Fizz. So I thought what better way to kick off this Mini Series than with the wine...
2023-07-1932 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsThe Story Behind Cork & FizzEp 8I’m so excited to share with you my story of how I came to love wine and how Cork & Fizz came to be!It all began in Spain when I was studying abroad and I would have a glass (or sometimes a bottle - I promise you don’t want to miss that story!) of wine with lunch. My go-to was always “Vino Blanco” (aka “white wine”).Fast forward to a couple years later when I’ve just moved to Seattle with my husband (then boyfriend). We visited some extended famil...
2023-07-1225 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsThe Art & Business of Winemaking w/ Mari WomackEp 7How does a real estate agent with no formal education in the wine industry push past the obstacles of owning her own winery? Well, it starts with saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way and that is exactly what Mari Womack of Damsel Cellars did!Mari was inspired to open her own winery while working in Seattle area restaurants. While working in the hospitality industry she began a gradual interest in the wine space which led to her becoming an assistant winemaker. It was ultimately when...
2023-07-0544 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTypes of Wine Grapes: ChardonnayEp 6Are you a wine lover that gave up Chardonnay during the Anything But Chardonnay, also known as ABC, phase? I find that people often feel strongly about Chardonnay, and usually in the negative direction but I think it’s impossible to hate all Chardonnays! So, why is Chardonnay often looked at in a negative way? Well, we are going to dive deep into that along with the history of the Chardonnay grape, why there was a rise and a fall, how it’s produced to get that butte...
2023-06-2829 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsTips for Smelling Wine w/ Cork Dork Author Bianca BoskerEp 5How does someone go from being a tech editor to quitting their job and becoming an expert sommelier? That’s exactly what today's guest, Bianca Bosker certified sommelier, award-winning journalist and author of Cork Dork did!Bianca takes us through her journey starting from that moment when she decided she wanted to be a part of the wine world and here’s a hint - it may have had to do with a wine drinking competition! Bianca also dives into the olfactory senses (aka your...
2023-06-2147 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWhy Rosé Isn’t Just a Summer WineEp 4I find in the wine community that Rosé is looked down upon and not seen as a fine wine. Many also make the mistake of thinking it’s always sweet. Well, I LOVE Rosé and I drink it all year round…not just in the summer! Today I’m chatting about the complex and often misunderstood world of Rosé!We’ll start by chatting all about the history of Rosé. Did you know it dates all the way back to 1550 BC? I’ll also share the different methods to produce Rosé and how these metho...
2023-06-1439 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsSustainability in Winemaking with Sipwell’s Hilary CocalisEp 3 You would love one glass of wine but that means having to open a full bottle. And then once you open that bottle of wine you may feel the pressure to drink the bottle. What if it goes bad? You don’t want to be wasteful.Sound familiar?Well, Hillary Cocalis, founder & chief go-getter of Sipwell Wine Company, a premium award-winning craft wine brand, had the same thought! Why isn’t there a delicious and high quality wine that came in a can so you c...
2023-06-0731 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsHow to Easily Buy Wine on Your Next Shopping TripEp 2 One of the hardest things to do when it comes to wine is choosing a bottle to purchase. WHY are there so many choices?! If you feel overwhelmed when buying wine, you are not alone. When I first started buying wine I always chose the same bottle because I knew I loved it. It was in my comfort zone. But the thing was. I was missing out on so many amazing options! And I don’t want you to miss out on all of the options because you don’t know...
2023-06-0720 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsMy 4-Step Wine Tasting Method to Build Your Wine ConfidenceEp 1 Have you ever picked up a glass of wine and while everyone around you was tasting something fruity or earthy…all you tasted was just wine? Ever wondered what the heck someone meant when they said they loved a “full bodied wine” or wanted something with “low tannins”? I know I have. What if I told you that learning to taste wine was as easy as four simple steps? And that once you learn these steps and discover the art of wine tasting, you’ll unlock the ability to describe exactly what you love...
2023-06-0732 minWine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiastsWelcome to the Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine!Are you ready to get ALL of your wine questions answered in a fun and approachable way? Are you ready to jump into the wine world but you don’t know where to start? I get it! There are so many choices! I mean what wine should I pair with dinner? What wine pairs best with what food? Is natural wine really better for me? And by the way, what the heck is an orange wine?Well friend, you are in the right place. Join me, Hailey Bohlman, founder of the Seattle-based wine tasting business Co...
2023-06-0101 min